Amazon UK Lists ‘Splinter Cell: Blacklist’ Release For March 2013

Following on the heels of Splinter Cell: Conviction‘s success, Ubisoft has been hard at work crafting the next chapter of Sam Fisher’s life. While it seems he’s perpetually caught up in life-threatening missions, Ubisoft has a very different approach in mind for the upcoming title Splinter Cell: Blacklist.

Since its explosion onto the scene during E3 2012 last month, no official announcements have been made about Blacklist‘s release date. However, Amazon UK has given it a date, and a quick glimpse at what pre-order offers Ubisoft has in store for players.

Currently, Amazon UK claims Blacklist will release on March 29th, 2013, with a limited Upper Echelon edition available to players who choose to pre-order the game. Inside the limited edition is an A2-size map of the game area, bonus content leaflet, and a digital content suite containing “five armour pieces with a unique visual and damage protection bonus,” special golden goggles, and a full bonus mission. Of course, all of these goodies are packed away safely in a protective steelbook. Whew!

It’s interesting to note that while the majority of details and in-game footage released so far have been geared towards the action-shooter side of Splinter Cell: Blacklist, the details of the limited edition above lend a little attention to the game’s stealth-based aspects. Ubisoft could have easily thrown in guns, multiplayer maps and other action-shooter fodder, but the focus on stealth-based items is a good sign that long-time fans will start to get more information about Blacklist’s stealth-action elements.

Also curious is the name of the digital content package, “Upper Echelon,” which seems to suggest Sam Fisher has re-established his ties to Third Echelon since the events of the previous two games, which saw Fisher break away from the group and work for his own goals.

Ranters, does Blacklist‘s bonus content make you anxious for the next instalment of Ubisoft’s hit franchise?

Splinter Cell: Blacklist allegedly releases March 29, 2013, on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. A Wii U version is also rumored to be in development.